JP5281783B2 - Display device and driving method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A display device includes a display panel having a first panel and a second panel that face each other with a liquid crystal layer therebetween, a plurality of first sense data lines extending in a row direction on the second panel, a plurality of second sense data lines extending in a column direction on the second substrate, and a sense signal processor. A plurality of sensing units are positioned at regions defined by the first and second sense data lines. A first sense data lines is connected to a second sense data line by a contact to output a first sense data signal through the first sense data line and a second sense data signal through the second sense data line. The sense signal processor reads and processes the first and second sense data signals.

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device and a driving method thereof.

  Recently, as personal computers and televisions have been made lighter and thinner, display devices have been required to be lighter and thinner. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) have become flat panel display devices in response to such demands. It has been replaced.

  Such flat panel display devices include liquid crystal display devices (LCD), field emission display devices (FED), organic light emitting display devices, plasma display devices (PDP), and the like.

  In general, in an active matrix flat panel display device, a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, and an image is displayed by controlling the light intensity of each pixel based on given luminance information. In particular, the liquid crystal display device includes two display panels having pixel electrodes and a common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer having dielectric anisotropy sandwiched therebetween. The liquid crystal display device obtains a desired image by applying an electric field to the liquid crystal layer, adjusting the intensity of the electric field, and adjusting the transmittance of light passing through the liquid crystal layer.

  The touch screen panel is a device that draws characters and figures by touching the screen with a fingertip or a touch pen (touch pen, styles) or the like, or executes icons to execute necessary instructions for a machine such as a computer. The liquid crystal display device to which the touch screen panel is attached can detect whether or not a user's fingertip or touch pen touches the screen and the position information on the touch. However, such a liquid crystal display device has an increase in cost due to the touch screen panel, a decrease in yield due to the addition of a process for bonding the touch screen panel on the liquid crystal display panel, a decrease in the brightness of the liquid crystal display panel, and an increase in the product width. There are problems such as.

  In order to solve such a problem, a technique of incorporating a sensing element in a liquid crystal display device instead of a touch screen panel has been developed. The sensing element senses changes in light and pressure applied to the screen by the user's fingertips, etc., so that the liquid crystal display device determines whether the user's fingertips touched the screen, and the position information of the touch Is detected.

  Such a sensing element includes a row sensing element for sensing a row coordinate (Y-axis coordinate) of a touched portion and a column sensing element for sensing a column coordinate (X-axis coordinate). The column sensing elements are connected to signal lines extending in the row direction. The column sensing elements are connected to signal lines extending in the row direction.

However, since such signal lines extend in different directions, they are formed in different layers, and because of the step of the signal lines, the responsiveness of the sensing element to the contact point is different from each other, and the reliability of sensing for the contact is reduced. .
JP 2004-264845 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensing element that can uniformly sense the row coordinate and the column coordinate of a contact point.

In order to achieve the above object, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel assembly having a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, on the second substrate. A plurality of first sensing data lines extending in a row direction, a plurality of second sensing data lines extending in a column direction on the second substrate, and the first sensing data lines and the second sensing data lines are defined in an area; The first sensing data line and the second sensing data line are connected to each other by contact, and a first sensing data signal and a second sensing data signal for the touch are output to the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line. A plurality of sensing units, and sensing signals for reading and processing the first sensing data signal from the first sensing data line and the second sensing data signal from the second sensing data line at different times, respectively. Look including the management unit, the sensing unit, a control terminal, said first non-control terminal connected with one of the first sensing data lines, and connected with one of the second sensing data lines A first transistor having a second non-control terminal, a control terminal receiving an application of an initialization signal for turning off the first transistor, and a first non-control terminal connected to the first non-control terminal of the first transistor. control terminal, and a second transistor having a second non-control terminal connected to a control terminal of the first transistor, characterized in containing Mukoto.

  The liquid crystal panel assembly may further include a common electrode to which a common voltage is applied on the first substrate.

  The sensing unit may include a transistor having a control terminal, a first terminal connected to the first sensing data line, and a second terminal connected to the second sensing data line.

  The liquid crystal panel assembly may further include a protrusion facing the control terminal of the transistor and positioned between the first substrate and the common electrode.

  A plurality of first processing circuits which are connected to the first sensing data lines and generate a first processing signal based on the first sensing data signals of the first sensing data lines; A plurality of second processing circuits respectively connected to the second sensing data lines and generating a second processing signal based on the second sensing data signal of the second sensing data line; and the first processing signal and It is preferable that the storage part which memorize | stores a 2nd processing signal is included.

  The first processing circuit includes a first resistor connected between a first voltage source and the first sensing data line, a second voltage source having a voltage different from that of the first voltage source, and the first sensing data line. A first switching element connected between the first sensing data line, a first converter for comparing the sensing data signal of the first sensing data line with a reference voltage, and generating the first processing signal; and storing the first processing signal. It is preferable to include a first flip-flop and a second switching element connected between the first converter and the first flip-flop.

  The second processing circuit includes a second resistor connected between the first voltage source and the second sensing data line, and a second resistor connected between the second voltage source and the second sensing data line. 3 switching elements, a second converter for comparing the sensed data signal of the second sensed data line with the reference voltage to generate the second processed signal, a second flip-flop for storing the second processed signal, and It is preferable to include a fourth switching element connected between the second converter and the second flip-flop.

  Preferably, the first switching element and the fourth switching element are turned on simultaneously, and the second switching element and the third switching element are turned on simultaneously.

  The plurality of first flip-flops simultaneously output the first processing signal to the storage unit in synchronization with a first clock signal, and the plurality of second flip-flops have a second clock different from the first clock signal. Preferably, the second processing signal is output to the storage unit in synchronization with a signal.

  The sensing unit may further include a switching element that is connected between the first terminal and the control terminal of the transistor and that turns off the transistor according to an initialization signal.

  The sensing signal processing unit may further include a control unit that controls the first processing circuit and the second processing circuit, and a control unit that outputs the initialization signal.

  It is preferable that the display device further includes a contact determination unit that receives the first processing circuit and the second processing signal and determines presence / absence of contact and a contact position.

  The contact determination unit receives a plurality of the first processing signals to determine the column coordinates of the contact, and the second determination receives the plurality of second processing signals to determine the row coordinates of the contact. It is preferable to include a register that stores the presence / absence of contact, column coordinates and row coordinates of the contact in respective flags, and an interface that outputs the value of the flag.

The driving method of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first sensing data lines, wherein the first sensing data lines and the second sensing data lines vertically arranged, and the first sensing data lines and the second is connected to the sensing data line, a control terminal, the first being the one first non-control terminal which is connected one of the first sensing data lines, and connected with one of the second sensing data lines A first transistor having two non-control terminals, a control terminal for receiving an initialization signal for turning off the first transistor, and a first non-control terminal connected to the first non-control terminal of the first transistor , and method of driving a display device including a sensing unit for sensing a touch and a second transistor having a second non-control terminal connected to a control terminal of the first transistor, the contact Intellectual portion connects together the second sensing data lines and the first sensing data lines step, based on said initialization signal to the control terminal of the second transistor, the first turns off the first transistor When the connection between the sensing data line and the second sensing data line is interrupted , the first voltage is applied to the second sensing data line, and the display device is touched, the first transistor is interposed through the first transistor. A voltage change of the first sensing data line generated by connecting the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line is read as a first sensing data signal, and a first processing signal is generated based on the first sensing data signal. generating a said first applying the first voltage to the sensing data lines, when there is the contact, the first transistor and the first sensing data lines through the second sensing data lines connected Read the voltage change of the second sensing data lines generated by Rukoto as the second sensing data signals, based on said second sensing data signal generating a second processed signal, and the first processed signal and the second The method includes a step of determining contact information based on the processing signal.

  The step of generating the first processing signal and the second processing signal is performed by comparing voltages of the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line with a reference voltage to generate the first processing signal and the second processing signal. be able to.

  The method for driving the display device includes the step of storing the plurality of first processing signals in a register simultaneously after generating the first processing signals for the first sensing data lines, and the second sensing data. Preferably, the method further comprises storing a plurality of the second processed signals in the register simultaneously after generating the second processed signals for the line.

  The step of determining the contact information includes outputting a first processing signal and a second processing signal recorded in the register, determining an X-axis coordinate of the contact based on the first processing signal, Preferably, the method includes determining the Y-axis coordinates of the contact based on the two processing signals, and storing the presence / absence of the contact and the contact coordinates.

The control terminal of the pre-Symbol first transistor is preferably electrically connected to the common electrode by the contact.

  The display device preferably includes a liquid crystal panel assembly including a liquid crystal layer, a lower substrate having the sensing unit, and an upper substrate having the common electrode.

Preferably, the liquid crystal panel assembly includes a protrusion formed between the upper substrate and the common electrode, facing the control terminal of the first transistor.

  The driving method of the display device may further include turning off the transistor before applying the first voltage to the second sensing data line.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to uniformly generate the sensing data signal of each coordinate by generating the sensing data signal for the column coordinate and the row coordinate of the point touched by one sensing unit.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can be easily implemented. In the drawings, the thickness is enlarged to clearly show various layers and regions. Similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. When a part such as a layer, a film, a region, or a plate is “on top” of another part, this is not limited to the case of “on top” of the other part. Including some cases. Conversely, when a part is “just above” another part, this means that there is no other part in the middle.

  A liquid crystal display device as an embodiment of a display device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device including pixels. FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram for one pixel of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device including a sensing unit. FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram of one sensing unit of the liquid crystal display device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel assembly 300, an image scanning unit 400 connected to the liquid crystal display panel assembly 300, and an image data driving unit 500. And a sensing signal processing unit 700, a gradation voltage generation unit 550 connected to the image data driving unit 500, a contact determination unit 800 connected to the sensing signal processing unit 700, and a signal control unit 600 that controls these units. Including.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the liquid crystal panel assembly 300 includes a plurality of display signal lines (G _{1 to} G _n , D _{1 to} D _m ), and is connected to the display signal lines and arranged in a matrix. a plurality of pixels (PX), and a plurality of sensing signal lines _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M, GL) , a plurality of sensing units arranged substantially in a matrix state are connected to the (SU) Including.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the liquid crystal panel assembly 300 includes a thin film transistor panel 100 and a common electrode panel 200 facing each other, a liquid crystal layer 3 sandwiched therebetween, and two displays. A gap is formed between the plates 100 and 200 and includes a gap member (not shown) that is compressed and deformed to some extent.

The display signal lines (G _{1 to} G _n , D _{1 to} D _m ) are a plurality of image scanning lines (G _{1 to} G _n ) for transmitting image scanning signals and image data lines (D ₁ to D _n for transmitting data signals). comprises D _m), the sensing signal line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M, GL) , a plurality of row sensor data lines for transmitting a sensing signal (first sensing data _{lines) (SY} 1 to SY _N ) And a plurality of column sensing data lines (second sensing data lines) (SX _{1 to} SX _M ), and a plurality of initialization signal lines (GL) for transmitting an initialization signal.

Image scanning lines _(G 1 ~G _n) and the row sensor data lines _(SY 1 _{~SY N)} are substantially parallel to each other extend substantially in a row direction, the image data lines _(D 1 ~D _m) and column sensor data The lines (SX _{1 to} SX _M ) extend substantially in the column direction and are substantially parallel to each other.

  The initialization signal line (GL) extends in the row direction or the column direction, and one ends thereof are connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 2, each pixel (PX), for example, the i th (i = 1, 2,..., N) image scanning line (G _i ) and the j th (j = 1, 2,..., M ) The pixel (PX) connected to the image data line (D _j ) includes a switching element (Q) connected to the signal line (G _i , D _j ), a liquid crystal capacitor (Clc) and a storage capacitor connected to the switching element (Q). (Cst) is included. The storage capacitor (Cst) can be omitted if necessary.

The switching element (Q) is a three-terminal element such as a thin film transistor provided on the thin film transistor array panel 100, its control terminal is connected to the image scanning lines (G _{1 to} G _n ), and the input terminal is image data. Lines (D _{1 to} D _m ) are connected, and output terminals are connected to a liquid crystal capacitor (Clc) and a storage capacitor (Cst). At this time, the thin film transistor includes amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon.

  In the liquid crystal capacitor (Clc), the pixel electrode 191 of the thin film transistor array panel 100 and the common electrode 270 of the common electrode panel 200 have two terminals, and the liquid crystal layer 3 between the two electrodes 191 and 270 functions as a dielectric. The pixel electrode 191 is connected to the switching element (Q), and the common electrode 270 is formed on the entire surface of the common electrode panel 200 and receives a common voltage (Vcom). Unlike FIG. 2, the common electrode 270 may be provided on the thin film transistor array panel 100. At this time, at least one of the two electrodes 191 and 270 may be formed in a linear shape or a rod shape.

  The storage capacitor (Cst), which plays an auxiliary role for the liquid crystal capacitor (Clc), has another signal line (not shown) provided on the thin film transistor array panel 100 and the pixel electrode 191 overlapped with an insulator interposed therebetween. A predetermined voltage such as a common voltage (Vcom) is applied to the other signal line. However, the storage capacitor (Cst) can also be formed by superimposing the pixel electrode 191 with the immediately preceding image scanning line through an insulator.

As shown in FIG. 3, each sensing unit (SU), the row and column sensor data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) is formed in a region defined, sense transistor _{(Q 11} to Q _MN), including initialization transistor _{(Q G)} and the switching element _(SW 11 _{~SW MN).}

Sense transistor _(Q 11 _{to Q MN)} is a three-terminal element is a thin film transistor, a control terminal, an input terminal connected to the row sensor data line _(SY 1 to SY _N) (first terminal), and the column sensor An output terminal (second terminal) connected to the data lines (SX _{1 to} SX _M ) is included. The initialization transistor (Q _G ) is a transistor for initializing the sensing transistors (Q _{11 to} Q _MN ), and is a control terminal connected to the initialization signal line (GL), the sensing transistors (Q _{11 to} Q Q _MN ), an input terminal connected to the output terminal, and an output terminal connected to the control terminal of the sense transistor (Q _{11 to} Q _MN ).

A switching element _(SW 11 _{~SW MN),} the control of which is connected between the control terminal of the common voltage (Vcom) and the sensing transistor _(Q 11 _{~Q MN),} sensed by contact transistor _(Q 11 _{~Q MN)} A common voltage (Vcom) is transmitted to the terminals.

Next, the switching element (SW _ji ) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, as described above, the sensing transistor (Q _ji ) is a thin film transistor provided on the thin film transistor array panel 100 together with the switching element (Q) of the pixel, and its input terminal and output terminal are is formed on the lower substrate 110, the row and column sensor data lines _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) are respectively connected to the. The control terminal 124 of the sensing transistor (Q _ji ) is formed on the lower substrate (second substrate) 110 so as to be insulated from the input terminal and the output terminal, and the interlayer insulating film 160 and the protective film 180 are covered thereon. ing.

  Such a control terminal 124 is exposed through a contact hole 185 formed in the interlayer insulating film 160 and the protective film 180. The thin film transistor array panel 100 has a contact member 192 on the protective film 180, and the contact member 192 is connected to the control terminal 124 through the contact hole 185.

On the other hand, the common electrode panel 200 includes a protrusion 280 between the upper substrate (first substrate) 210 and the common electrode 270, and the protrusion 280 faces the contact member 192. Accordingly, the control terminal 124 of the sensing transistor (Q _ji ) connected to the contact member 192 and the common electrode 270 protruding by the protrusion 280 form a switching element (SW _ji ), and the switching element (SW _ji ) is a thin film transistor by contact. The display panel 100 and the common electrode display panel 200 are turned on / off according to the distance change.

  That is, when the user presses the liquid crystal display panel assembly 300 with a fingertip or the like to cause contact, the spacing material is deformed by the pressure pressed by the fingertip or the like. As the point portion approaches the thin film transistor array panel 100, the distance between the two display panels 100 and 200 decreases. As a result, the distance between the common electrode 270 on the protrusion 280 and the contact member 192 of the thin film transistor array panel 100 also decreases, and the contact member 192 and the common electrode 270 come into contact with each other.

Thus, if the sensing transistor _{(Q ji)} control terminal 124 to a common voltage (Vcom) is supplied, the sense transistor _{(Q ji)} is turned on, the row sensor data line connected to the sensing unit (SU) ( SY _i ) and the column sensing data line (SX _j ) are connected.

Thus, the operating state of the sense transistor _{(Q ji)} by the presence or absence of contact changes, changes the state of the sensing data signal output sensor data lines _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) to.

Thus the sensing unit (SU), the row and column sensor data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) are one by one placed at each coordinate point that intersects one sensing unit (SU ) To detect the X-axis and Y-axis coordinates with respect to the touch.

The sensing unit (SU) is disposed between two adjacent pixels (PX). The density of the row and column sensor data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) one sensing unit which is connected to (SU) are, for example, can be about 1/4 of the dot (dot) density . Here, for example, one dot includes three pixels (PX) that are arranged side by side and display three primary colors such as red, green, and blue, display one hue, and a basic unit that indicates the resolution of the liquid crystal display device. Become. However, one dot may be composed of four or more pixels (PX). At this time, each pixel (PX) displays one of the three primary colors and white (white). Can be configured.

  As an example in which the density of one sensing unit (SU) is ¼ of the dot density, the resolution of the row and column of one sensing unit (SU) is ½ of the resolution of the row and column of the liquid crystal display device, respectively. There is a case. At this time, there may be a pixel row and a pixel column without a sensing unit (SU).

  In the case where the density of the sensing unit (SU) and the dot density are adjusted to this level, such a liquid crystal display device can also be applied to high-precision application fields such as character recognition. Of course, the resolution of the sensing unit (SU) can be made higher or lower as needed.

According to the sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention (SU), the sensing unit (SU) and the sensing data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) since the space occupied is relatively small, A decrease in the aperture ratio of the pixel (PX) can be minimized.

  Further, the gray voltage generator 550 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 generates an overall gray voltage or a limited number of gray voltages (hereinafter referred to as reference gray voltages) related to the transmittance of the pixels. The (reference) gradation voltage may include a positive voltage with respect to the common voltage (Vcom) and a negative voltage.

The image scanning unit 400 is connected to the image scanning lines (G _{1 to} G _n ) of the liquid crystal panel assembly 300 and has a gate-on voltage (Von) for turning on the switching element (Q) and a gate-off voltage (Voff) for turning off. An image scanning signal composed of the combination is applied to the image scanning lines (G _{1 to} G _n ).

The image data driving unit 500 is connected to the image data lines (D _{1 to} D _m ) of the liquid crystal panel assembly 300, selects the gradation voltage from the gradation voltage generation unit 550, and uses this as the image data voltage. Applied to the image data lines (D _{1 to} D _m ). However, when the gray voltage generator 800 does not provide all the gray voltages, but only provides a limited number of reference gray voltages, the image data driver 500 divides the reference gray voltages. A desired image data voltage is generated.

Sensing signal processor 700, the sensing data lines of the panel assembly _{300 (SY 1 ~SY N, SX} 1 ~SX M) is connected to and initialization signal lines (GL), an initialization signal lines (GL ) to supply the initialization voltage, reads the sensing data signals from the sensing data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M). Further, the sensing signal processor 700, switch sensor data lines _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) analog sensing data signal from the digital signal to generate a digital sensing data signal (DSN).

  The contact determination unit 800 receives a digital detection data signal (DSN) from the detection signal processing unit 700, performs predetermined arithmetic processing to determine presence / absence of contact and a contact position, and then outputs contact information such as the contact position to the outside. Send to device. The sensing signal processing unit 700 and the contact determination unit 800 will be described in detail later.

  The signal control unit 600 controls operations of the image scanning unit 400, the image data driving unit 500, the gradation voltage generation unit 550, the sensing signal processing unit 700, and the like.

Each of such driving devices (400, 500, 550, 600, 700, 800) can be directly mounted on the liquid crystal panel assembly 300 in the form of at least one integrated circuit chip, and is a flexible printed circuit film. It can be mounted on a liquid crystal panel assembly 300 in the form of a TCP (tape carrier package) and mounted on another printed circuit board (not shown). Alternatively, these drives (400,500,550,600,700,800) a signal line _{(G 1 ~G n, D 1} ~D m, SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1 ~SX M, GL ) And the thin film transistor (Q), etc., can be integrated in the liquid crystal panel assembly 300.

  Next, the display operation of such a liquid crystal display device will be described.

  The signal controller 600 receives an input image signal (R, G, B) and a control signal (DE, Hsync, Vsync, MCLK) from an external graphic controller (not shown), and receives a gate control signal (CONT1), A data control signal (CONT2) is generated, and the input image signal (R, G, B) is processed so as to meet the operating conditions to generate an output image signal (DAT).

In accordance with the data control signal (CONT2) from the signal control unit 600, the image data driving unit 500 receives the digital image signal (DAT) for the pixels (PX) in one row, and outputs the gradation voltage corresponding to each digital image signal (DAT). After the selection, the digital image signal (DAT) is converted into an analog data voltage and then applied to the corresponding image data lines (D _{1 to} D _m ).

Image scanning driver 400 applies the gate-on voltage according to a gate control signal from the signal controller 600 (CONT1) a (Von) to the image scanning lines _(G 1 ~G _n), the image scanning lines _(G 1 ~G _n ) Is turned on. Then, the image data voltage applied to the image data lines (D _{1 to} D _m ) is applied to the corresponding pixel (PX) through the switching element (Q) that is turned on.

  A difference between the image data voltage applied to the pixel (PX) and the common voltage (Vcom) appears as a charging voltage of the liquid crystal capacitor (Clc), that is, a pixel voltage. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules varies depending on the magnitude of the pixel voltage, and therefore the polarization of light passing through the liquid crystal layer 3 changes. Such a change in polarization appears as a change in light transmittance by the polarizer, whereby the pixel (PX) displays the luminance indicated by the gradation of the image data signal (DAT).

By repeating such a process in units of one horizontal period (also referred to as 1H, which is the same as one period of the horizontal synchronization signal Hsync and the data enable signal DE), all image scanning lines (G _{1 to} G _n ) are used. On the other hand, a gate-on voltage (Von) is sequentially applied, and an image data voltage is applied to all the pixels (PX) to display an image of one frame.

  When one frame is completed, the next frame is started, and an inversion signal (applied to the image data driver 500) is applied so that the polarity of the image data voltage applied to each pixel (PX) is opposite to that of the previous frame. RVS) state is controlled (frame inversion). At this time, the polarity of the image data voltage flowing through one data line can be periodically inverted (eg, row inversion, dot inversion) within one frame depending on the characteristics of the inversion signal (RVS). The polarities of the applied image data voltages can also be reversed (eg, column inversion, dot inversion).

On the other hand, the sensing signal processor 700 determines a contact position with the presence or absence of contact by reading a predetermined period in the sensing data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) sensing data signal.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the sensing of the liquid crystal display device including the one-point sensing unit (SU) will be discussed.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a sensing signal processing unit and a contact determination unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the first and second processing circuits of FIG. FIG. 7 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the first and second processing circuits of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the sensing signal processor 700 includes a plurality of first processing circuit 710 is connected to a respective row sensor data line _(SY 1 to SY _N), column sensor data line _(SX 1 _~SX M) A plurality of second processing circuits 720, a register 750, and a control unit 760.

First and second processing circuits (710, 720), the analog sensor data from the analog sensor data signal, and the column sensor data lines (SX1～SX _M) from each of the row sensor data line _(SY 1 to SY _N) The signals are read at different times, converted into digital sensing data (DSN) having contact information for the X-axis coordinates and the Y-axis coordinates, and output to the register 750.

  The plurality of first processing circuits 710 operate simultaneously, and the plurality of second processing circuits 720 also operate simultaneously. The operating states of the first processing circuit 710 and the second processing circuit 720 are opposite to each other. The first and second processing circuits (710, 720) will be described in detail later.

The register (storage unit) 750 is a memory having the X-axis coordinates and the Y-axis coordinates of the sensing unit (SU) as addresses, and the digital sensing data signals (DSN _X , DSN) from the first and second processing circuits (710, 720). _Y ) are sequentially received and stored in the corresponding addresses. The digital sensing data signal (second processing signal) (DSN _X ) is a column sensing data signal (second sensing data signal) output from the column sensing data lines (SX _{1 to} SX _M ). first processing signal) (DSN _Y) is a row sensor data line _(SY 1 to SY _N) row sensor data signal output from the (first sensing data signal). These digital sensing data signals (DSN _X and DSN _Y ) form a digital sensing data signal (DSN).

The controller 760 outputs control signals (P1, P2, CK _X , CK _Y ) for controlling reading and output to the first and second processing circuits (710, 720). The control unit 760 may be located in the sensing signal processing unit 700, but is not limited to this case. For example, the control unit 760 may be located in the contact determination unit 800 in addition to the sensing signal processing unit 700. Is also possible.

  The contact determination unit 800 includes a first determination unit 810, a second determination unit 820, a register 830, and an interface unit 840.

The first determination unit 810 receives and analyzes a plurality of digital sensing data (DSN _Y ) with respect to the Y-axis coordinate from the register 750 to determine the presence / absence of contact and the Y-axis coordinate of the contact, and the second determination unit 820 includes the register A plurality of digital sensing data (DSN _X ) with respect to the X-axis coordinate is received from 750 and analyzed to determine the presence or absence of contact and the X-axis coordinate of the contact.

  The register 830 stores a contact state flag, contact information, and the like, and the value of the contact state flag and the contact information vary depending on the determination of the first and second determination units (810, 820).

  The interface unit 840 can be configured by an SPI (serial peripheral interface) or the like, and sends contact information, a control signal (not shown), etc. to an external device, and requires necessary data (not shown) and control signals from the outside. (Not shown) can be received.

  Next, the first and second processing circuits (710, 720) will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the row and column sensor data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) first and second processing circuits, each of which is connected to (710, 720) have the same structure , A plurality of switching elements (SP1, SP2), resistors (R1, R2), converters (711, 721) and flip-flops (712, 722).

Resistor (R1) is connected between the high voltage source (first voltage source) (VDH) and row and column sensor data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M), the first switching device (SP1) is connected between the low voltage source (second voltage source) (VDL) and the row and column sensor data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M). First transducer 711 and second transducer 721, the row and column sensor data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) is connected to one end of the row and column sensor data line _(SY 1 ~ SY _N, compared to the _SX 1 _{~SX M)} of the sensor data signal to the reference voltage (Vcmp). Such a converter (711, 721) includes a comparator (COM). The comparator (COM) has an inverting terminal (-), a non-inverting terminal (+), and an output terminal, and the inverting terminal (- ), the row and column sensor data line _{(SY 1} to SY _N, is connected to the SX 1 ~SX _M), a non-inverting terminal (+) is connected to a reference voltage (Vcmp).

  The second switching element (SP2) is connected between the output terminal of the comparator (COM) and the flip-flops (712, 722), and the output signal from the comparator (COM) is sent to the first flip-flop 712, and the second flip-flop (712). This is transmitted to the flip-flop 722.

The flip-flops (712, 722) receive and store the output signal from the comparator (COM) through the second switching element (SP2), and store it in the register 750 in synchronization with the clock signals (CK _Y , CK _X ). The output signal is output as a digital sensing data signal (DSN _X , DSN _Y ).

  A resistor (R2) having one end grounded is further connected to the input ends of the flip-flops (712, 722), and when the second switching element (SP2) is turned off, the inputs of the flip-flops (712, 722) are connected. Is fixed at a constant voltage level. Unlike the case where the resistor (R2) is connected, a capacitor or the like may be connected to the input terminal of the flip-flop (712, 722).

  Next, the sensing operation of the sensing unit (SU) and the sensing signal processing unit 700 of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG. Since all the sensing units (SU) operate in the same manner, one sensing unit (SU) shown in FIG. 6 and the first and second processing units (710, 710) connected to the sensing unit (SU). 720) will be described.

Before the sensing operation starts, the first and second switching elements (SP1, SP2) of the first and second processing circuits (710, 720) are all turned off, and the row and column sensing data lines (SY _i , SX _j). ) Is supplied with a high voltage (VDH) level voltage through a resistor (R1).

If the sensing operation starts in such a state, the control unit 760 changes the initialization signal (GC) of the initialization signal line (GL) to the turn-on voltage, and therefore the initialization transistors (SU) of all the sensing units (SU). Q _G ) turns on. Accordingly, the output terminal and the control terminal are connected to each other by sense transistor _{(Q ji)} is the turn-off of the sense transistor _{(Q ji),} reliably disconnected row sensor data line (SY _i) the column sensor data line (SX _j) Let

When the first control signal (P1) is applied from the controller 760 to the first and second processing circuits (710, 720), the second switching element (SP2) of the first processing circuit 710 and the second processing circuit 720 The first switching element (SP1) is turned on. Accordingly, the column sensing data line SX _j is supplied with a low voltage VDL through the first switching element SP1.

The first processing circuit 710 reads the voltage of the row sensing data line (SY _i ) of the sensing data line as a sensing data signal. When the contact occurs and the switching element (SW _ji ) of the sensing unit (SU) is turned on, the row sensing data line (SY _i ) and the column sensing data line (SX _j ) are connected to each other. Accordingly, the sensing data signal of the row sensing data line (SY _i ) is a voltage change between the input terminal and the output terminal of the switching element (SW _ji ), that is, the column sensing data line (SX _j ) and the row sensing data line ( Based on the voltage change during SY _i ). However, if no contact occurs, the switching element (SW _ji ) of the sensing unit (SU) is turned off, and the sensing data signal of the row sensing data line (SY _i ) is applied to a low voltage (VDL) applied through the resistor (R1). )

The converter 711 compares the sensing data signal of the row sensing data line (SY _i ) with the reference voltage (Vcmp), and switches the value corresponding to the difference to a digital signal to generate an output signal. Such a reference voltage (Vcmp) may be at a level between a high voltage (VDH) and a low voltage (VDL), and an output signal from the comparator (COM) is a reference voltage (Vcmp) and sensed data. Depending on the polarity of the voltage difference of the signals, they can have different digital values. Alternatively, the reference voltage (Vcmp) has a level lower than the low voltage (VDL), and the digital sensing data (DSNY) converts the magnitude of the voltage difference between the sensing data signal voltage and the reference voltage (Vcmp) from analog to digital. The value can be

The output signal from the comparator (COM) is stored in the flip-flop 712 through the turned-on second switching element (SP2). Such operations of the first and second processing circuits (710, 720) are simultaneously performed in all the first and second processing circuits (710, 720). Accordingly, the first flip-flops 712 of the plurality of first processing circuits 710 receive the supply of the first clock signal (CK _Y ) applied simultaneously from the control unit 760 and convert the stored output signal into the digital sensing data signal. (DSN _Y ) is output to the register 750, and the second flip-flops 722 of the plurality of second processing circuits 720 are supplied with the second clock signal (CK _X ) simultaneously applied from the control unit 760 and stored. The output signal is output to the register 750 as a digital sensing data signal (DSN _X ).

When the output of the flip-flop 712 of the first processing circuit 710 is finished, the control unit 760 interrupts the output of the first control signal (P1) and sends the second control signal (P2) to the first and second processing circuits ( 710, 720). When the second control signal P2 is supplied from the controller 760, the first switching element SP1 of the first processing circuit 710 and the second switching element SP2 of the second processing circuit 720 are turned on. However, when the supply of the first control signal (P1) is interrupted, the second switching element (SP2) of the first processing circuit 710 and the first switching element (SP1) of the second processing circuit 720 are turned off. Therefore, the row sensing data line (SY _i ) has a low voltage (VDL), and the second processing circuit 720 reads the voltage of the column sensing data line (SX _j ) as a sensing data signal. That is, when the contact occurs and the switching element (SW _ji ) of the sensing unit (SU) is turned on, the sensing data signal of the column sensing data line (SX _j ) is transmitted between the input terminal and the output terminal of the switching element (SW _ji ). Based on the voltage change between. When the contact does not occur, the switching element (SW _ji ) of the sensing unit (SU) is turned off, and the sensing data signal of the row sensing data line (SY _i ) is applied to a low voltage (R1) applied through the resistor (R1). VDL).

The converter 721 of the second processing circuit 720 compares the sense data signal of the column sense data line (SX _j ) with the reference voltage (Vcmp), generates a digital output signal, and generates a digital output signal from the comparator (COM). Is stored in the flip-flop 722 through the second switching element (SP2). The flip-flop 722 outputs a digital output signal to the register 750 as a digital sensing data signal (DSN _X ) according to the second clock signal (CK _X ).

Since the control signals (P1, P2, CK _X , CK _Y ) from the control unit 760 are simultaneously applied to all the first and second processing circuits (710, 720), all the first and second processing circuits ( 710, 720) operate simultaneously. Accordingly, in this embodiment, after the first processing circuit 710 in response to a control signal (P1) has read sensor data signals from all of the row sensor data line _(SY 1 to SY _N), the control signal (P2) In response, the second processing circuit 720 reads the sensing data signal from all the column sensing data lines (SX _{1 to} SX _M ). However, such row and column sensor data line _{(SY 1 ~SY N, SX 1} ~SX M) read signal sensing data signals from can be changed.

Thus, all of the row sensor data lines to register 750 digital sensor data for _{(SY 1 ~SY N) (DSN} Y) and all of the column sensor data line digital sensor data for _{(SX 1 ~SX M) (DSN} X) is It is recorded at an address corresponding to each coordinate.

The contact determination unit 800 receives the digital sensing data (DSN _Y , DSN _X ) of the register 750, determines the presence / absence of the contact and the contact position, and transfers information on this to a necessary place such as an external device. The external device, for example, transfers an image signal based on such information to the liquid crystal display device.

  The sensing signal processing unit 700 reads the sensing data signal once every frame in a porch section between frames, and particularly in a front porch section ahead of a vertical synchronization signal (Vsync). It is preferable to perform a sensing operation. In the pouch section, the sensed data signal is less affected by the drive signals from the image scanning driver 400 and the image data driver 500, so that the reliability of the sensed data signal is improved. However, such a reading operation is not necessarily performed every frame, and may be performed once every a plurality of frames as necessary. Further, the reading operation may be performed twice or more in the porch section, and the reading operation can be performed at least once in a frame other than the porch section.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the common electrode of the common electrode panel and the sensing data line of the thin film transistor panel are two terminals as the sensing unit, and at least one of the two terminals protrudes. The pressure sensing unit that outputs a sensing data signal by physically and electrically connecting two terminals has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other forms of sensing elements may be applied. You can also. That is, a sensing unit using a variable capacitor and a reference capacitor, an optical sensor whose output signal changes depending on light intensity, and the like can be used. The present invention can also be applied to a display device including two or more types of sensing units.

  Further, in the embodiments of the present invention, the liquid crystal display device has been described as an example of the display device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. Is equally applicable.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations of those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present invention defined in the claims. Improvements are also within the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device including pixels. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram for one pixel of a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a block diagram of a liquid crystal display device including a sensing unit. FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram for one sensing unit of the liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of a sensing signal processing unit and a contact determination unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the first and second processing circuits of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining operations of the first and second processing circuits of FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

300 LCD panel assembly,
400 image scanning unit,
500 image data drive unit,
700 sensing signal processing unit,
550 gradation voltage generator,
800 contact determination unit,
600 signal control unit,
3 liquid crystal layer,
100, 200 display board,
191 pixel electrodes,
270 common electrode,
124 control terminal,
110 Lower substrate,
210 Upper substrate,
160 interlayer insulation film,
180 protective film,
192 contact members,
185 contact hole,
280 protrusion,
710, 720 first and second processing circuits,
750 registers,
760 control unit,
810, 820 first and second determination units,
830 registers,
840 interface part,
711, 721 converter,
712, 722 flip-flops.

Claims (19)

A liquid crystal display panel assembly including a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween;
A plurality of first sensing data lines extending in a row direction on the second substrate;
A plurality of second sensing data lines extending in a column direction on the second substrate;
The first sensing data line and the second sensing data line are located in a region defined, and the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line are connected to each other by contact, and the first sensing data signal and the second sensing data line for the contact are connected to each other. A plurality of sensing units for outputting two sensing data signals to the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line;
A sensing signal processing unit for reading the first sensing data signal from the first sensing data line and the second sensing data signal from the second sensing data line at different times and processing the signals, respectively;
Including
The sensing unit is
A first transistor having a control terminal, a first non-control terminal connected to one of the first sense data lines, and a second non-control terminal connected to one of the second sense data lines When,
A control terminal for receiving an initialization signal for turning off the first transistor, a first non-control terminal connected to the first non-control terminal of the first transistor, and a connection to the control terminal of the first transistor And a second transistor having a second non-control terminal.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal panel assembly further includes a common electrode to which a common voltage is applied on the first substrate.   The display device according to claim 2, wherein the sensing unit includes a transistor having a control terminal, a first terminal connected to the first sensing data line, and a second terminal connected to the second sensing data line.   The display device according to claim 3, wherein the liquid crystal panel assembly further includes a protrusion facing the control terminal of the transistor and positioned between the first substrate and the common electrode. A plurality of first processing circuits which are connected to the first sensing data lines and generate a first processing signal based on the first sensing data signals of the first sensing data lines; ,
A plurality of second processing circuits, each connected to the second sensing data line and generating a second processing signal based on the second sensing data signal of the second sensing data line;
The display device according to claim 4, further comprising a storage unit that stores the first processing signal and the second processing signal. The first processing circuit includes a first resistor connected between a first voltage source and the first sensing data line;
A first switching element connected between a second voltage source having a voltage different from that of the first voltage source and the first sensing data line;
A first converter that compares the sensed data signal of the first sensed data line with a reference voltage to generate the first processed signal;
A first flip-flop storing the first processed signal;
A second switching element connected between the first converter and the first flip-flop,
The second processing circuit includes a second resistor connected between the first voltage source and the second sensing data line;
A third switching element connected between the second voltage source and the second sensing data line;
A second converter that compares the sense data signal of the second sense data line with the reference voltage to generate the second processed signal;
A second flip-flop storing the second processed signal;
The display device according to claim 5, further comprising a fourth switching element connected between the second converter and the second flip-flop.   The display device according to claim 6, wherein the first switching element and the fourth switching element are turned on simultaneously, and the second switching element and the third switching element are turned on simultaneously. A plurality of first flip-flops simultaneously outputting the first processing signal to the storage unit in synchronization with a first clock signal;
The display device according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of second flip-flops output the second processing signal to the storage unit in synchronization with a second clock signal different from the first clock signal.   The display device according to claim 8, wherein the sensing unit further includes a switching element that is connected between a first terminal and a control terminal of the transistor and that turns off the transistor according to an initialization signal.   The display device according to claim 9, wherein the sensing signal processing unit further includes a control unit that controls the first processing circuit and the second processing circuit and outputs the initialization signal.   The display device according to claim 10, further comprising a contact determination unit that receives the first processing signal and the second processing signal and determines presence / absence of contact and a contact position. The contact determination unit
A first determination unit that receives a plurality of the first processing signals and determines a column coordinate of contact;
A second determination unit that receives a plurality of the second processing signals and determines a line coordinate of contact;
Registers for storing presence / absence of contact and column and row coordinates of the contact in respective flags;
The display device according to claim 11, further comprising an interface that outputs the value of the flag. A first sensing data line; a second sensing data line arranged perpendicular to the first sensing data line; and a control terminal, the first sensing data line connected to the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line. A first transistor having a first non-control terminal connected to one of the data lines and a second non-control terminal connected to one of the second sensing data lines; and A control terminal that receives an initialization signal for turning off, a first non-control terminal connected to the first non-control terminal of the first transistor, and a second terminal connected to the control terminal of the first transistor In a driving method of a display device including a second transistor having a non-control terminal and sensing a contact,
A sensing unit connecting the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line to each other by contact;
Based on the initialization signal to the control terminal of the second transistor, the first transistor is turned off to disconnect the first sensing data line from the second sensing data line;
Applying a first voltage to the second sensing data line;
When the display device is touched, a voltage change of the first sensing data line generated by connecting the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line via the first transistor is changed. Reading as one sensing data signal and generating a first processing signal based on the first sensing data signal;
Applying the first voltage to the first sensing data line;
When the contact occurs, a voltage change of the second sensing data line generated by connecting the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line through the first transistor is a second sensing data signal. And generating a second processed signal based on the second sensed data signal;
And determining contact information based on the first processing signal and the second processing signal.   The step of generating the first processing signal and the second processing signal is performed by comparing voltages of the first sensing data line and the second sensing data line with a reference voltage to generate the first processing signal and the second processing signal. The method for driving the display device according to claim 13. A method for driving a display device includes: generating a first processing signal for each of the first sensing data lines; and simultaneously storing a plurality of the first processing signals in a register;
15. The display device according to claim 13 , further comprising: storing a plurality of the second processing signals in the register simultaneously after generating the second processing signal for each of the second sensing data lines. Driving method. The step of determining the contact information includes outputting a first processing signal and a second processing signal recorded in the register;
Determining an X-axis coordinate of contact based on the first processing signal;
Determining a Y-axis coordinate of contact based on the second processing signal;
The method for driving a display device according to claim 15, comprising: storing presence / absence of contact and contact coordinates. The control terminal of the first transistor, the driving method of a display device according to any one of claims 13 to 16 which is electrically connected to the common electrode by the contact.   The display device driving method according to claim 17, wherein the display device includes a liquid crystal display panel assembly including a liquid crystal layer, a lower substrate including the sensing unit, and an upper substrate including the common electrode. 19. The display device driving method according to claim 18, wherein the liquid crystal panel assembly includes a protrusion formed between the upper substrate and the common electrode, facing the control terminal of the first transistor.